Applications Open for Geisinger Hospital Elder Life Program Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center are accepting volunteer applications for the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Help is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of older adults. Traditionally designed for college students studying health care, HELP is now expanding to include adults (18+) with an interest in health care including retired doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals. HELP volunteers receive specialized training to support patients age 65 and older through therapeutic activities, patient and family education, and mobilization and socialization. These interventions help prevent cognitive and functional decline during hospitalization. Volunteers who meet requirements may qualify for: Leadership opportunities Physician and advanced practitioner shadowing opportunities A letter of reference for medical school or other healthcare programs HELP runs year-round, with three application periods: Summer semester Apply: February Orientation: Mid-May Service begins: May Fall semester Apply: May Orientation: Early September Service begins: September Spring semester Apply: September Orientation: Mid-December Service begins: December/January Applications for the summer 2026 semester are open now. Those interested should apply online at go.geisinger.org/elderlife. For more information, call 570-808-6124 or email Deanna Dunning, program manager, at ddunning@geisinger.edu.
Geisinger Junior Volunteer Program Applications Are Open Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center are accepting applications for the Junior Volunteer Program (JVP). JVP is a six-week summer program designed to engage high school students ages 15 to 18 in meaningful service and interactive learning experiences while exploring health care careers. Applications are accepted from Sunday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 20, for the 2026 program. The JVP offers students the opportunity to: Contribute through hands-on volunteer service Learn about a variety of health care career paths Make a positive impact in their communities Earn awards for the hours they serve Returning second- and third-year participants can also apply to become JVP Leaders, gaining leadership training, mentorship and firsthand experience in patient care and hospital operations. Program requirements include an online application, references, essay, interview and orientation. Participants must commit to 40 service hours, 15 educational hours and attend at least five of the six program weeks. Interested teens can apply and find key dates and details at geisinger.org/juniorvolunteer. For more information, email volunteers@geisinger.edu or call 570-214-6021.
Geisinger’s Jason W. Mitchell Named to HAP Board Geisinger’s chief medical officer, Jason W. Mitchell, M.D., is among the newest members of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) board of directors. He started a 3-year term this month that runs through December 2028. The HAP board includes up to 28 health leaders from across the state in any year. HAP is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to advance high-quality, accessible and financially sustainable health care. HAP includes most Pennsylvania hospitals among its more than 235 member organizations. Its board sets the association’s strategic direction and priorities related to fostering a robust hospital community and promoting access to high-quality care across the state. “I am thrilled and humbled to join the HAP board. This is such a critical time for health care, with ongoing challenges and critical changes in care delivery and payment models across the landscape – including right here in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Mitchell. “Just as we are doing at Geisinger for our patients and communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania, HAP can help lead the charge statewide as we strive to continue to improve access to high-quality, high-value care, in both rural and urban settings.” A practicing family physician, Dr. Mitchell oversees a medical staff of nearly 1,800 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers at Geisinger. He joined Geisinger last March after spending 2 decades at Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was chief medical and clinical transformation officer for more than 10 years. “I am proud to welcome Dr. Mitchell to HAP’s board of directors,” said Nicole Stallings, HAP’s president and chief executive officer. “Dr. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience leading clinical teams and driving value-based care. As an accomplished physician and hospital leader, he knows the difficulties that clinicians face each day and is committed to supporting caregivers’ health and wellness.” Prior to joining Presbyterian in 2006, Dr. Mitchell spent 3 years as medical director of the University of New Mexico’s not-for-profit Locum Tenens Program, where he oversaw program operations and quality for primary and specialty care physicians serving rural and urban populations. Dr. Mitchell is a national speaker and author of numerous value-based care articles and presentations, as well as on topics ranging from strategy and business transformation to payment models and population health.
Geisinger To Host Nutrition and Weight Management Presentation Click here for additional information.
Geisinger Completes First Phase of Postpartum Expansion Geisinger Community Medical Center completed the first phase of its postpartum care expansion, opening 12 beds on Dec. 1 on the hospital’s third floor. The service addition comes six years after the hospital opened its Childbirth Center, which brought labor and delivery back to the Scranton facility after previous ownership discontinued services in 2007. “Growing our postpartum care capability is a critical upgrade for Geisinger Community Medical Center and the Scranton community,” said Nick Coleman, associate vice president of clinical operations for Geisinger’s northeast region. “We opened our Childbirth Center in 2019 because we saw the need for more quality labor and delivery services in Lackawanna County. This expansion is another step toward addressing that need. In a community where health care services are challenged and face changes, we remain focused on delivering the best maternity care for mothers and babies.” The new postpartum beds are supported by parallel growth of pre- and postoperative care and enhancements to the hospital’s nursery. The newly established continuing care nursery is capable of caring for children who need more support than is available in a well-baby nursery, but who don’t need the high-acuity care of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A second phase of the project will open seven more postpartum beds in the summer of 2026. Upon completion, the unit will more than double Geisinger Community Medical Center’s capacity for postpartum care. This latest renovation at the Scranton hospital is part of Geisinger’s recent and ongoing $50 million investment in Lackawanna County health care, which also includes plans to build a NICU and expand emergency medicine in 2026.
Geisinger Recognized for Supporting Health Worker Well-Being For the second straight year, Geisinger has been recognized as a WellBeing First Champion by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare. As a WellBeing First Champion, Geisinger has verified that licensure and credentialing applications for physicians and advanced practice providers don’t stigmatize mental healthcare and treatment. This means health workers at Geisingercan seek needed care without fear of losing their license or job. “This recognition demonstrates Geisinger’s deep commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of our workforce,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., Geisinger’s chief wellness officer. “Geisinger continuously promotes an open dialogue about mental health and reducing stigma to encourage our employees to seek help. We often talk about the importance of taking care of ourselves so that we can best care for our patients; with these credentialing changes for physicians and APPs, we’re putting our words into action.” Verification that all invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health has been removed from applications is confirmed annually by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare, a coalition of leading healthcare organizations that works to eliminate barriers for health workers to obtain needed mental healthcare. “Across the country, health workers are at an increased risk for burnout and mental health conditions,” said Corey Feist, organization co-founder. “Many health workers feel they cannot speak up about their mental health without being criticized by colleagues or losing their jobs. Today, physicians and nurses die by suicide at two times the rate of the general population. We as a nation must better protect these lives, and I applaud our Wellbeing First Champions for their leadership to support the well-being of health workers.”
Geisinger Health Plan Recognized by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, has named Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) a 2026 Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage in Pennsylvania. The ratings of the Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage evaluate private insurance companies on the basis of U.S. News’ proprietary analysis of 30+ quality measures published by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Less than one-third of Medicare Advantage providers nationwide were named Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. “This is once again a testament to Geisinger Health Plan’s continued commitment to providing high-quality medical coverage and excellent member services to Medicare beneficiaries across Pennsylvania,” said Karen Murphy, PhD, RN, president of Geisinger Health Plan. “U.S. News’ comprehensive, data-driven methodology recognizes the insurance companies that deliver the best Medicare Advantage plans,” said Sumita Singh, executive vice president and general manager of Health at U.S. News. “By evaluating every company’s Medicare Advantage plans based on dozens of quality measures and recognizing top performers in key areas – including Screening & Prevention and Care Continuity – we’re highlighting those that deliver superior plans and hopefully better outcomes for beneficiaries,” Singh added. “U.S. News’ Medicare Advantage ratings are a powerful tool for beneficiaries as they make one of their most important health decisions.” For the 2026 edition of Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage, U.S. News considered CMS data and quality measure results for every evaluated insurance company’s Medicare Advantage health plans for the 2026 calendar year. U.S. News, in consultation with industry experts, selected 30+ CMS quality measures and assigned each measure a weight reflecting its relevance to consumers. The results for a provider’s plans were averaged together, with greater weight assigned to plans having the most seniors enrolled. Additionally, U.S. News calculated insurers’ ratings for three specific Medicare Advantage award categories: Screening & Prevention, Care Continuity and Highest Satisfaction. For more information, visit Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period ends Sunday, Dec. 7. Click here or call 800-482-8163 to learn more about GHP Medicare Advantage options.
Geisinger’s Peer Support Program Reaches Milestone Geisinger’s employee-led peer support initiative, M-PATH (Meeting Peers at the Heart), has reached a significant milestone, with more than 1,000 employees now trained as peer supporters across the health system. Developed and offered through Geisinger’s Center for Well-being, M-PATH is designed to cultivate a culture of empathy, connection and emotional support among staff. The program equips employees with the skills to provide meaningful peer-to-peer support — whether proactively checking in with colleagues or offering a compassionate ear during challenging times. As part of the training, peer supporters learn how to be an empathetic and active listener, assess situations thoughtfully and connect employees with appropriate resources when additional support is needed. Peer supporters represent a wide range of departments, roles and regions, underscoring Geisinger’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. “We’re incredibly grateful to the more than 1,000 employees who have stepped up to be a source of support for their peers,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., Geisinger’s chief wellness officer. “Their compassion and dedication reflect the value Geisinger places on well-being and the powerful role each person plays in building a connected, caring community. We’re proud of how far the M-PATH program has come and look forward to its continued growth and the positive impact it will have on our colleagues.”
Geisinger Recognized As Top Employer by Military Organizations Geisinger has been recognized as a top employer for its continued support of military veterans and active service members with two recent designations. The Pennsylvania-based health system earned the 2026 Military Friendly® Employer with Gold distinction designation by VIQTORY and was also recognized by Military Times on its 2025 Best for Vets: Employers list. This is the 7th consecutive year Geisinger has been recognized with a Military Friendly® Employers designation and the 4th year in a row the system has achieved the gold ranking. It’s also the 6th consecutive year Geisinger has been recognized by Military Times. Both honors demonstrate Geisinger’s ongoing commitment and efforts to building programs and opportunities for military veterans. Companies earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation were evaluated using public data sources and survey responses. More than 1,200 organizations participated in the Military Friendly® survey. Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders from the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for recruitment, new hire retention, employee turnover and promotion and advancement of veterans and military employees. Geisinger will be showcased as a 2026 Military Friendly® Employer in the winter issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and on militaryfriendly.com. For the Best for Vets recognition, Military Times evaluates the areas of greatest importance to transitioning service members, veterans and their families when looking for an employer. Recruitment and employment practices, along with retention and support programs, were given the most weight in scoring and final rankings. Geisinger employs more than 900 veterans and active-duty service members throughout the system. As part of its commitment to the military and its veterans, Geisinger offers a paid military leave benefit, which allows service members employed by Geisinger to be paid for time at annual trainings, encampments and drills. It’s also part of a military fellowship program that eases the transition of active-duty service members looking to move into a civilian career.To learn more about Geisinger’s veteran programs and career opportunities, visit jobs.geisinger.org/veterans.
Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Deadline Approaching With the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) deadline quickly approaching on Sunday, Dec. 7, there’s still time for eligible seniors to evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2026. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental and prescription benefits.Geisinger Gold, recently named one of the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania by U.S. News and World Report, offers access to a comprehensive care network with more than 30,000 doctors, 180 hospitals and 3,000 pharmacies. It also includes perks like wellness programs, prescription discounts, financial assistance and Silver Circle membership, a free program designed for men and women 55+ that promotes physical, emotional and social well-being. Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans achieved 4.5 out of 5 Stars in the 2026 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings program for its performance across multiple criteria, including positive clinical outcomes, preventive care, prescription drug services and customer service. CMS evaluates plans every year. Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans. Information sessions are also taking place at various locations. To sign up for a session, visit go.geisinger.org/seminar.
